For several hours Thursday evening, a hiker hung onto a tall tree in the steep terrain below a Cape Horn Overlook trail, waiting for a rescue by the Skamania County (Wash.) Sheriff's Office.

The man, described as about 50 and from the Washougal area, was hiking with a friend when they wound up off trail about 6 p.m. To avoid a 30-foot fall, the man grabbed the tree, said county dispatcher Lisa King.

"The terrain is treacherous," said King.

The man was finally brought down about 11 p.m. He was taken to Southwest Washington Medical Center. During the rescue, traffic was rerouted at milepost 25 on eastbound State Highway 14. Further information is unavailable.